Smoky Mountain's soccer team to open season against Reynolds

The JVs will begin at 5 p.m. with the varsity playing at 7 p.m.

The home opener is set for Wednesday when Madison visits for a 7 p.m. game.

The Mustangs, who were 14-8-1 last season, took part in a scrimmage Saturday at the Buncombe County Soccer Complex. They defeated West Henderson 3-1 and lost to defending state 1-A champion Polk 4-1.

Eric McManus, Eric Neff and Stephen Brown scored against West with Neff providing an assist. David White scored the lone goal against Polk.

"In the first match we did well," Coach Dolphus Brown said. "We didn't really have our legs in the second match. We had been working on conditioning, but Polk taught us a lesson in conditioning. They really outhustled us and beat us to the 50-50s."

The conditioning issue has left Brown disappointed.

"I've been frustrated because we've had some key players that did not come prepared," he said. "Some of them have not been committed enough to get ready."

The coach was looking for improvement Wednesday in a scrimmage at Hendersonville. SM should be better in the midfield with the return of Michael Tennant, who missed Saturday's scrimmage due to a family emergency.

"I'm looking to see a stronger midfield with Michael there," Brown said. "We didn't pass very well Saturday. We're really going to be working on winning 50-50s and competing for the ball."

The defense is expected to be comprised of keeper Caleb Corwin, sweeper Chris Turk, stopper Paul Van Der Ven, right fullback Patrick Brady and left fullback Chris Wofford. All are seniors except Wofford, who is a junior.

Junior Carl Moore is also a candidate at keeper while junior Josh Lord and sophomore Zeke Donley are battling for playing time at defensive positions.

Neff, a senior, and Tennant, a junior, are set at the center midfield spots as are seniors McManus and Brown at strikers.

A logjam is developing for the two outside midfielder spots. Seniors Willie Mojica and Will West, junior White, sophomores Bryan Mand and Johnny Toledo and exchange student Luis Segura are the leading contenders.

Others who could receive playing time as outside midfielders are juniors Scott Hotaling, Kyle Baer and Charlie Graning and sophomore Eddie Noell. The schedule is as follows:

Aug. 12 - at Reynolds; 14 - Madison; 19 - at North Henderson; 21 - Asheville; 26 - North Buncombe; 28 - at East Henderson.

Sept. 3 - Murphy; 4 - Tuscola; 9 - at Erwin; 11 - Swain; 12 - at Asheville Christian; 16 - Franklin; 18 - at Roberson; 23 - Enka; 25 - at Asheville; 30 - at North Buncombe.

Oct. 1 - at Swain; 2 - East Henderson; 7 - at Tuscola; 8 - at Murphy; 9 - Erwin; 16 - at Franklin; 21 - Roberson; 23 - at Enka.

Back to Sports: 08/08/02.